Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a common practice in the Christian faith. Biblically, it is an ordinance given by Jesus to the Christian church. It is essentially a Christian adoption of the Jewish Passover meal, pointing to Jesus as the Ultimate Sacrifice – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The Jewish Passover, of course, is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It commemorates the time God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In Exodus, God instructed each family to sacrifice a spotless lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. This act signified their faith in God’s promise and caused the angel of death to “pass over” their homes during the final plague on Egypt, sparing their firstborn. That night, the Israelites shared a meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, symbolizing God’s protection and the swift, decisive rescue that led them out of bondage.
But at the Last Supper, Jesus changed the meaning of this meal for His followers. He took the Passover meal and used it to show that He was about to become the ultimate Passover Lamb. Jesus was saying, in effect, “I am the Lamb who will be sacrificed to save you—not from Egypt, but from sin and death.” By sacrificing Himself on the cross, He would free people from the bondage of sin.
So, Communion is a way for Christians to remember what Jesus did on the cross. Just like in the Jewish Passover meal, where a lamb was sacrificed, Jesus became the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world.
At the Last Supper, Jesus used two simple items: bread and a cup of wine (or juice). **I can address the whole fermented vs. unfermented wine debate in a later article**. Each item has a special meaning:
- The Bread: Jesus took the bread, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, KJV). The bread represents His body that would be broken on the cross. Every time Christians eat the bread during Communion, they remember the physical pain and sacrifice Jesus endured.
- The Cup: After the bread, Jesus took a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20, KJV). The cup represents Jesus’ blood, which He shed to forgive sins. Drinking from the cup reminds Christians of the cost of forgiveness and the new relationship, or “covenant,” they have with God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Different churches and denominations see and handle these Communion elements (the bread and the cup) differently. Most evangelicals and virtually all Baptists see the Communion elements as representing the body and blood of Christ — not actually being (literally or in essence) the body and blood of Christ. That is my view. But Catholics, Anglicans, and others will hold a different view.
When Christians take Communion, it’s not just a ritual or tradition. It’s a time to:
- Remember Jesus’ Sacrifice: The bread and the cup help Christians remember that Jesus suffered and died for them. Just as I Corinthians 11:26 says, every time we eat the bread and drink the cup, we “proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.” We’re remembering Jesus’ death and honoring His love and sacrifice.
- Celebrate Unity: Communion is also a time to come together. In I Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul explains that when we share in the bread and the cup, we share in the body and blood of Christ. Communion isn’t something we do alone; it’s something Christians do together, reminding us that we are one family in Jesus.
- Self-Reflect: The Bible encourages believers to take Communion thoughtfully. I Corinthians 11:28 says to examine oneself before taking part. This means coming to God with a sincere heart, ready to confess any wrongs and focus on Him.
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is a special time to reflect, remember, and give thanks for what Jesus has done.
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